How to Copy a DVD Onto a Computer

This wikiHow teaches you how to copy the contents of a DVD to Windows or macOS using a free app called HandBrake. If the DVD contains copy-protected data (such as a store-bought movie or television series), you'll need to install a file...

Part 1 of 4:

Installing HandBrake

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    Go to https://handbrake.fr/ in a web browser. HandBrake is a free app that allows you to copy the content from a DVD to your computer.
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    Click Download HandBrake 1.2.2. It's the red button on the page. This downloads the HandBrake install file on Windows.
    1. If you're using Mac or Linux, click Other Platforms below the "Download HandBrake" button on the main page, and then click the Download link for your operating system.
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    Double-click the install file and follow the instructions. You'll usually find it in the "Downloads folder. On Windows, the file is called HandBrake-1.2.2-x86_64-Win_GUI.exe or something similar. On Mac, the file is called HandBrake-1.1.2.dmg"'.
    1. On a Mac, you may need to adjust your Security & Privacy settings to install unverified apps from the internet.
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    Click Next (Windows only). When you see the Welcome window of the installer, click Next in the lower-right corner of the Window to continue.
    1. On Mac, clicking the install file creates a folder with the HandBrake app. You can open the HandBrake app from that folder, or you can drag and drop the app into your Applications folder in the Finder.
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    Click Next again (Windows only). This indicates that you agree to the License Agreement.
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    Click Install (Windows only). This installs HandBrake.
  7. Click Finish. This closes the HandBrake install Wizard
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Part 2 of 4:

Installing Libdvdcss on Windows

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    Go to https://github.com/allienx/libdvdcss-dll/tree/master/1.4.2 on a Windows PC. If you're using macOS, you can skip this part. This is the link to download the latest version of Libdvdcss.dll, which is a file that helps HandBrake decrypt copy-protected content from DVDs. You'll need this file if the DVD you're copying is a movie, TV show, or virtually any other type of DVD you'd find in a store.
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    Click 32-bit or 64-bit. Depending on which version of Windows you are running, click the version of the file that fits your version of Windows.
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    Locate the "libdvdcss-2.dll" file. By default, downloaded files can be found in your "Downloads" folder. If you see the file in your web browser, you can also right-click it and click Show in Folder.
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    Right-click "libdvdcss-2.dll" and click Cut. This removes the file from your "Downloads" folder and copies it to your clipboard so you can paste it in another location.
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    Open Windows Explorer
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    . You can do this by pressing Win+E or by clicking its icon in the Start menu.
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    Click your local hard drive. This drive, usually called "C:", should be found in the left panel under "This PC."
    1. The C: drive may have a different name on different computers. Sometimes it's called "Local Disk", or the name of your computer.
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    Click the Program Files folder. It's in the local "C:" drive.
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    Click the HandBrake folder. It's in the "Program Files" folder on your local "C:" drive. This is where HandBrake is installed.
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    Right-click a blank space in the folder. A menu will expand.
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    Click Paste. This pastes the "libdvdcss-2.dll" file in your HandBrake folder.
Part 3 of 4:

Installing Libdvdcss on macOS

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    Go to http://download.videolan.org/libdvdcss/1.4.2/macosx/ in a web browser. If you're using Windows, you can skip this part. This is the link to download the latest version of Libdvdcss.dll, which is a file that helps HandBrake decrypt copy-protected content from DVDs. You'll need this file if the DVD you're copying is a movie, TV show, or virtually any other type of DVD you'd find in a store.
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    Click libdvdcss-1.4.2.pkg. This contains the install file for the latest version of libdvdcss.dll for Mac.
    1. You may need to adjust your Security & Privacy settings to install unverified files and apps from the internet.
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    Click Continue. It's in the lower-right corner of the install dialogue box.
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    Click Install. It's in the lower-right corner of the install dialogue box.
    1. If you want to change your install location, click Change Install Location and select a new location.
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    Enter your password and click Install Software. Use your Mac login password. This copies the file to the correct folder.
    1. Click Close when prompted to close the installer.
Part 4 of 4:

Copying the DVD

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    Insert a DVD into your DVD drive.
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    Open HandBrake. It has an icon that resembles a cocktail glass next to a pineapple. You can open HandBrake in the Windows Start menu, or in the Applications folder on a Mac.
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    Select your DVD drive. It's in the source menu in the sidebar to the left.
    1. If the Source menu doesn't open automatically, click Source in the upper-right corner.
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    Choose a chapter. Use the drop-down menu next to "Title" to select a chapter to copy. If you are copying a movie, select the longest chapter. If you are copying a TV show, select an individual chapter.[1]
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    Click Browse. It's next to the bar at the top of the screen. This opens a file browser you can use to select a save location and give the file a name.
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    Select a save location. Use the file browser to select a folder or location for the DVD file to copy to.
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    Type a name for the video. File type the name of the movie or TV show in the bar next to "File Name."
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    Click Save. This saves the file and location.
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    Select a preset. Choose Normal or High Profile to optimize the video for your computer.
    1. You can also select a specific device, such as an iPhone, from the list of presets.
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    Click Start. It's in the upper-right corner near the "Source" button. This starts copying the DVD. It may take a while for the video finish encoding.
Update 04 March 2020
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